After an impressive showing in the Play-In Tournament, the Hawks' playoff run has come to an end after a valiant effort against the Celtics came up short in the opening round.
2023 marks the second consecutive year in which Atlanta was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, a disappointing two-year follow-up to the team's magical run to the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals. And while the Hawks have made quite a few changes in the time since, the franchise is still in search of the right answers.
The 2022-23 season was the first in which Atlanta paired franchise cornerstone Trae Young with another All-Star caliber guard in Dejounte Murray. As if the adjustment period between the two ball-dominant guards wasn't enough, the entire team was forced to adjust after the midseason firing of head coach Nate McMillan and the subsequent midseason hiring of Quin Snyder.
Atlanta's run can be defined by it having to make adjustments on the fly, but with the season in its rearview, the focus now shifts to a number of pressing questions regarding the future of the franchise.
Trae Young trade rumors headline Hawks offseason
As Atlanta geared up to face Miami in the Play-In Tournament, Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer took an in-depth look at the situation facing the Hawks, indicating that moving on from Young is not out of the question.
According to O'Connor, "League sources say the Hawks’ front office has the green light from ownership to do whatever it wants to with the roster, which includes considering trade opportunities involving [Young]."
These rumors aren't exactly unfounded.
This past season, numerous reports suggested that there was a schism in the locker room, stemming from a rocky relationship between Young and McMillan. And while McMillan was ultimately relieved of his duties, Young's leadership as the face of the franchise has come into question.
In December, Turner Sports' Chris Haynes reported that it could be Young that requests a trade as soon as the 2023 offseason. Rumblings from multiple sources could suggest that Young's days as a Hawk could truly be numbered.
Since acquiring Young on draft night in 2018, Atlanta has made three playoff appearances, peaking with its run to the 2021 East Finals. Young has made leaps toward stardom, earning two All-Star selections and an All-NBA selection in the 2021-22 season.
The acquisition of Murray could mean Young's replacement is already on the roster, but what does a trade involving the wiry playmaker actually look like?
Trae Young trade destinations
Young is, without question, an exceptional player. In addition to averaging 26.2 points and 10.2 assists this past season, Young led the NBA in total assists for a second straight year with 741 dimes over 73 games.
Needless to say, Young can help a number of teams. A few stand out a bit more than others:
- 76ers, in the event James Harden walks via free agency. Young can step in as Philadelphia's new creator.
- Heat, who are always mentioned in talks for available stars. Miami's offense is also in need of a major boost.
- Mavericks, an ironic destination that would pair Young with draft classmate Luka Doncic. Dallas is always looking to get Luka help.
Young's representation by Klutch Sports will naturally lead to links to the Lakers, but it's unclear whether or not LA has what is required to make a deal. Philadelphia has Tobias Harris' contract to use in a trade while Miami has the contract of Kyle Lowry.
Dallas would likely have to pull off some cap gymnastics as well.
Hawks upcoming free agents
Atlanta's list of free agents is short, as Aaron Holiday is an unrestricted free agent and Trent Forrest, who is on a two-way contract, will be a restricted free agent.
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Player Option | Team Option |
| Aaron Holiday | Trent Forrest |
If there aren't any major shakeups, the Hawks could very much run things back next season as Holiday was not in the team's playoff rotation and Forrest is more of a developmental project.
Should either of the two elect to move on, Atlanta's lineups and rotations would not change at all.
Hawks future salaries, roster
Aside from Murray, Atlanta essentially has all members of its core under team control for the foreseeable future. And while Murray is set to become an unrestricted free agent following next season, he and the Hawks could look to work on a contract extension before that day comes to be.
The other name to keep an eye on is John Collins, who is perpetually looped into trade rumors. Collins is under contract for at least two more seasons, but the number of rumors and the Hawks' frontcourt depth could make him the odd man out.
| Player | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | 2026-27 | 2027-28 |
| Trae Young | $40.1 million | $43.0 million | $46.0 million | $49.0 million | UFA |
| John Collins | $25.3 million | $26.6 million | $26.6 million (PO) | UFA | |
| Clint Capela | $21.1 million | $22.8 million | UFA | ||
| De'Andre Hunter | $20.1 million | $21.7 million | $23.3 million | $24.9 million | UFA |
| Bogdan Bogdanovic | $18.7 million | $17.3 million | $16.0 million | $16.0 million (TO) | UFA |
| Dejounte Murray | $18.2 million | UFA | |||
| Onyeka Okongwu | $8.1 million | RFA | |||
| Saddiq Bey | $4.6 million | RFA | |||
| A.J. Griffin | $3.7 million | $3.9 million (TO) | $6.0 million (TO) | RFA | |
| Jalen Johnson | $2.9 million | $4.5 million (TO) | RFA | ||
| Bruno Fernando | $2.6 million (NG) | $2.7 million (NG) | $2.9 million (TO) | UFA | |
| Garrison Mathews | $2.0 million (NG) | $2.2 million (TO) | UFA | ||
| Vit Krejci | $1.8 million (NG) | $2.0 million (TO) | UFA |
PO = Player option
TO = Team option
NG = Non-guaranteed
UFA = Unrestricted free agent
RFA = Restricted free agent
Hawks 2023 NBA Draft picks
The Hawks own the 15th (own) and 46th (via NOP) picks in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Atlanta's second-round pick has been rerouted to Portland, but it owns the Pelicans' second-round pick thanks to the 2019 draft day trade that made De'Andre Hunter a Hawk.
As owners of the worst record among teams to qualify for the playoffs, Atlanta will select right outside the draft lottery at 15. In his most recent mock, The Sporting News' NBA Draft expert Kyle Irving has the Hawks selecting 6-foot-8 sharpshooter Jett Howard from the University of Michigan.
